Retaining means

ABSTRACT

A retaining means comprising: an elongate mounting means; a gripping means; the gripping means comprising a first and second gripping portion, at least one of which is formed at least in part from a flexibly resilient material; each gripping portion being attached to the mounting means; and the first gripping portion having an outer edge positioned in close spatial arrangement with an outer edge of a second gripping portion such that an article may be retained between the outer edge of the first and second gripping portions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a retaining means. More particularly,the retaining means of the present invention is intended tosubstantially eliminate the requirement for separate pegs or clips tosecure items to be retained therein.

BACKGROUND ART

A number of prior art documents disclose a means for retaining itemsthat is configured in an attempt to avoid the requirement for pegs orclips. German Patent DE 3105051 discloses a U-shaped rail which retainsthe item via a pinching action between two legs of the rail. However,this item is not intended to be used in conjunction with an existingstructure, for example a clothes line. Further, given the nature of thepinching mechanism, being constructed from rigid material, inserting theitem to be retained may be complicated and result in an operator'sfingers being caught or pinched.

Australian Patent 646352 discloses a pegless clothes line which isconstructed from a number of plastic links that are joined together by astud connection to form a line. The item is slipped into an aperture atone end of each link and slides along into a pinch slot to secure theitem. This may substantially overcome the issue of an operator havingtheir fingers caught, although it may not be ideal for more delicateitems as they may be prone to damage from sliding in and out of thepinch slot.

Australian Patents 111923, 114289, 116484, 117229 and 118620 disclosepegless clothes lines of a variety of wire configurations, which areunlikely to be very effective for retaining the items during strongwinds, and can be complicated to install.

The retaining means of the present invention has one object thereof tosubstantially overcome the abovementioned problems associated with theprior art, or to at least provide a useful alternative thereto.

The preceding discussion of the background art is included exclusivelyfor the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. Itshould be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement oradmission that any of the material referred to was common generalknowledge in the field relevant to the present invention in Australia orelsewhere before the priority date.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, theword “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, willbe understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group ofintegers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group ofintegers.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a retainingmeans comprising:

-   -   an elongate mounting means;    -   a gripping means;    -   the gripping means comprising a first and second gripping        portion, at least one of which is formed at least in part from a        flexibly resilient material;    -   each gripping portion being attached to the mounting means; and    -   the first gripping portion having an outer edge positioned in        close spatial arrangement with an outer edge of a second        gripping portion such that an article may be retained between        the outer edge of the first and second gripping portions.

Preferably, the mounting means has at least two support members, eachsupport member having an upper edge.

At least one of the support members preferably comprises an engagingmeans allowing the retaining means to be attached to an existingstructure, for example a clothes line.

Preferably, the engaging means may be provided various forms, includingbut not limited to a recess, one or more hooks, or a slot.

Preferably, the gripping means is co-extensive with at least one of thesupport members.

Preferably, the upper edge of at least one of the support members hasserrations located thereon.

More preferably, the serrations extend from the gripping meanssubstantially above the upper edge of the or each support member and areformed from the flexibly resilient material.

The or each portion of the gripping means preferably comprises a stripof the flexibly resilient material.

The strip of flexibly resilient material preferably comprises one ormore slits extending transversely across the portion from the outer edgedefining therein a plurality of finger-like formations.

Preferably, outer edge of the first gripping portion abuts or is locatedadjacent to the second gripping portion.

The gripping means preferably attaches to the mounting means in avariety of ways, including but not limited to engagement with anintegrated slot, or by gluing or bolting the gripping means to the upperedge of one or more of the support members.

In one embodiment of the invention, one of the gripping portions of thegripping means may itself form one of the support members and is formedfrom the flexibly resilient material.

Preferably, the mounting means has a base.

More preferably, the base of the mounting means comprises at least onedrainage aperture provided therein.

Where at least one mounting means is engaged to an existing structure,an end bracket in which the mounting means is received.

Preferably, the bracket comprises two portions adapted to engage witheach other and to enclose at least a portion of a frame of an existingstructure therebetween.

More preferably, at least one of the portions of the bracket furthercomprise a retaining means support.

Preferably, the existing structure, includes a clothes line or the frameof a clothes line.

Preferably, the articles to be retained by the retaining means are inthe form of sheet-like materials including clothing and paper.

The mounting means is preferably formed from rigid or semi-rigidmaterial including but not limited to, steel, aluminium or mouldedplastic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only,with reference to one embodiment thereof and the accompanying drawings,in which:—

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a retaining means in accordance with afirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the retaining means of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the retaining means of FIG. 1 shown engagedwith an end bracket;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the bracket of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 a perspective view of the retaining means of FIG. 1 shown in use;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a retaining means in accordance witha second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a mounting means of a the retainingmeans depicted in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the mounting means of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a gripping means of the retaining meansdepicted in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the gripping means of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a bracket for use with the retainingmeans depicted in FIG. 6.

BEST MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In FIGS. 1 to 5 there is shown a retaining means 10 in accordance with afirst embodiment of the present invention. The retaining means 10comprises an elongate mounting means 12 and a gripping means 14. Themounting means 12 in turn comprises a base 16 connected to both a firstsupport member 18 and a second support member 20. Each of the supportmembers 18 and 20 have an upper edge 19. The base 16 further comprises anumber of drainage apertures 17 spaced along its length. The mountingmeans 12 is formed from a rigid material, for example steel, aluminiumor moulded plastic.

The gripping means 14 comprises a first gripping portion 22 formed froma flexibly resilient material which is attached to the mounting means 12via the first support member 18 and extends laterally towards a secondgripping portion 24 attached to the second support member 20. The secondgripping portion 24 is also formed from a flexibly resilient material.The gripping means 14 is attached to the support members 18 and 20. Thisattachment may be achieved in a variety of ways including, but notlimited to, for example, being bolted or glued directly to the upperedge 19, as depicted in FIGS. 1 to 4.

Each of the first and second gripping portions, 22 and 24 respectively,comprise a strip of the flexibly resilient material. The resilientmaterial has provided therein a number of slits 25 extendingtransversely across each of the first gripping portion 22 and secondgripping portion 24 from one edge to form a number of finger-likeformations 26. The first gripping portion 22 has an outer edge 28. Thesecond gripping portion 24 also has an outer edge 30. The outer edge 28of the first gripping portion 22 is in close spatial arrangement withthe outer edge 30 of the second gripping portion, defining therebetweena narrow line of separation, or a gap 32. Alternatively, the outer edge28 may abut the outer edge 30.

The gripping means 14 has serrations 34 provided in portions thereofthat extend over the upper edges 19 of the support members 18 and 20.The serrations 34 aid in the gripping of an article, for example an itemof clothing or sheet-like material such as paper. Further, because theserrations 34 are formed from flexibly resilient material, damage to thearticle is minimised. The first support member 18 and second supportmember 20 further comprise an engaging means 36 extending along thelength of the retaining means 10. The engaging means 36 allows theretaining means 10 to be attached to, or located on, an existingstructure, for example a clothes line 37.

FIG. 2 shows and end view of the same embodiment of the retaining means10 clearly indicating how the engaging means 36 allows the mountingmeans 12 to be attached to the clothes line 37.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the same embodiment of the retaining means 10 engagedwith an elongate end bracket 40 to secure the retaining means 10 in thepreferred position. The bracket 40 comprises a base portion 42 and a topportion 44, the top portion 44 attaching to the base portion by way of afastening means, for example bolts 46. The base portion 42 furthercomprises a central support structure 48 and two ends 50 and 52. Thebracket 40 is designed to attach to a frame 54 of a square orrectangular framed clothes line. At each of the ends 50 and 52, the baseportion 42 defines a recess 56, which is substantially the same shape asthe retaining means 10, allowing the retaining means 10 to be inserted“end-on” into the base portion 42. The central support structure 48extends between the recesses 56, located at each of the ends 50 and 52,and contains apertures through which the bolts 46 are able to pass inorder to secure the bracket 40 to the frame 54. The retaining means 10is positioned such that it extends transversely with respect to thebracket 40.

The base portion 42, being the base support for the retaining means 10,is positioned underneath the frame 54. The top portion 44 is then placedover the top of the frame 54, such that it aligns with the base portion42. The base portion is then secured to the top portion by the bolts 46.

In use, as shown in FIG. 5, a wet clothing item 38 is inserted into thegap 32 between the first gripping portion 22 and the second grippingportion 24. The act of pushing the clothing item 38 into the gap 32temporarily deforms the position of the gripping means 14. However, theflexibly resilient nature of the gripping means 14 enables it to returnto its initial position thereby grasping the clothing item 38 andholding it secure. Further, the flexible nature of the gripping means 14ensures that a clothing item 38 of delicate fabric is less likely to bedamaged, particularly in strong winds or when being inserted or removed.The serrated upper edge 34 provides additional grip for the clothingitem 38 to prevent it from slipping free. The drainage apertures 17allow any excess moisture to drain from the retaining means 10.

In FIGS. 6 to 10 there is shown a retaining means 60 in accordance witha second embodiment of the present invention. The retaining means 60 issubstantially similar to the retaining means 10 and like numerals denotelike parts.

Specifically, FIGS. 7 and 8 depict the mounting means 12 of theretaining means 60. The upper edge 19 of the first and second supportmembers, 18 and 20, comprise an integrated slot 62, for example in theform of a “T” slot. The slot 62 enables the gripping means 14 to engagewith the mounting means 12.

The first and second gripping portions 22 and 24 engage with the slot 62by way of a foot portion 64 having a substantially complementary shapeto the slot 62 such that it can be retained therein, as shown in FIGS.6, 9 and 10. It is envisaged that the slot 62 and the foot portion 64may be provided in various complimentary shapes without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention.

In FIG. 11 there is shown a bracket 70 for use with the secondembodiment of the present invention. The bracket 70 is formed from, forexample, moulded plastic and comprises an outer portion 72 and an innerportion 74. The bracket 70 may simply hook onto a clothes line 37 orframe 54 by way of engaging recesses 75. The outer portion 72 has twoends 76 and 78, a central support structure 80, a face plate 82 and aretaining means support 84 located at each of the ends 76 and 78. Theretaining means support 84 has a substantially complementary shape tothe mounting means 12. The retaining means support 84 and the centralsupport structure 80, are provided in the form of protrusions thatextend from the face plate 82. The retaining means 50 slides over theretaining means support 84, such that the ends of the retaining means 50abut the face plate 82.

The inner portion 74 is provided for primarily for aesthetic purposesand has a complementary shape to the central support structure 80. Theinner portion 74 slideably engages with the central support structure 80until it abuts the face plate 82. The dimensions of the inner portion 74are such that it fits snug with the central support structure 80, sothat it is substantially secure.

In use, the retaining means 50 operates in substantially the same manneras described for the retaining means 10.

It is envisaged that the finger-like formations 26 of the gripping means14 may alternatively be replaced with formations of various shape, orthe gripping means 14 may comprise two continuous strips of flexiblyresilient material, that is, without the transverse slits 25.

It is further envisaged that the outer edge 28 of first gripping portion22 may also abut or overlap with the outer edge 30 of the secondgripping portion 24.

It is still further envisaged that the retaining means 10 may beemployed such that it is inverted or rotated to a side position, withreference to the embodiment described above, and still operateeffectively.

A skilled addressee would recognise that the mounting means need nothave a base. For example, the first support member 18 and a secondsupport member 20 may be engaged separately by an end bracket 40.Alternately, one or more intermediate brackets may connect and locaterelatively the first support member 18 and the second support member 20.Further, where a base 16 is employed, it may have a variety offormations, for example a V-shape or curved.

It is also envisaged that the gripping means 14 may be positioned at anypoint along the first or second support members, 18 and 20 respectively.

It is to be understood that second support member 20 may itself form thesecond gripping portion 24. Further, where the second support member 20forms the second gripping portion 24, the second support member 20 mayalso then, at least in part, be formed from flexibly resilient material.

It is envisaged that the engaging means 36 may be provided in the formof a recess as shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, or it may be in the form of one ofmore hooks, or a slot.

It is to be understood that the retaining means of the presentinvention, whilst having particular applicability to a pegless clothesline is not necessarily confined thereto and may be utilised as aretaining means for other items such as paper, including for example,meal orders in restaurants.

The present invention is not to be limited in scope by any of thespecific embodiments described herein. These embodiments are intendedfor the purpose of exemplification only. Functionally equivalentproducts and methods are clearly within the scope of the invention asdescribed herein.

1. A retaining means comprising: an elongate mounting means; a grippingmeans; the gripping means further comprising a first and second grippingportion, at least one of which is formed at least in part from aflexibly resilient material; each gripping portion being attached to themounting means; and the first gripping portion having an outer edgepositioned in close spatial arrangement with an outer edge of a secondgripping portion such that an article may be retained between the outeredge of the first and second gripping portions.
 2. A retaining meansaccording to claim 1, wherein the mounting means comprises at least twosupport members, each support member having an upper edge.
 3. Aretaining means according to claim 1, wherein at least one of thesupport means comprises an engaging means for attaching the retainingmeans to an existing structure.
 4. A retaining means according to claim3, wherein the engaging means is provided in the form of a recess.
 5. Aretaining means according to claim 2, wherein the gripping means isco-extensive with at least one of the support members.
 6. A retainingmeans according to claim 2, wherein the gripping means has serrationsprovided in each of the portions thereof extending over the upper edgeof at least one of the support members.
 7. A retaining means accordingto claim 6, wherein the serrations are formed from the flexiblyresilient material.
 8. A retaining means according to claim 1, whereinthe or each portion of the gripping means comprises a strip of theflexibly resilient material.
 9. A retaining means according to claim 8,wherein the strip of flexibly resilient material further comprises oneor more slits extending transversely across the portion from the outeredge defining therein a plurality of finger-like formations.
 10. Aretaining means according to claim 1, wherein in the outer edge of thefirst gripping portion abuts or is located adjacent to the secondgripping portion.
 11. A retaining means according to claim 1, whereineach gripping portion attaches to the mounting means via an integratedslot.
 12. A retaining means according to claim 2, wherein one of thegripping portions also forms one of the support members.
 13. A retainingmeans according to claim 1, wherein the mounting means further comprisesa base.
 14. A retaining means according to claim 13, wherein the basehas at least one drainage aperture.
 15. A retaining means according toclaim 1, wherein the retaining means further comprises an end bracket inwhich the mounting means is received.
 16. A retaining means according toclaim 15, wherein the bracket comprises two portions adapted to engagewith each other and to enclose at least a portion of a frame of anexisting structure therebetween.
 17. A retaining means according toclaim 16, wherein at least one of the portions of the bracket furthercomprise a retaining means support.
 18. A retaining means according toclaim 1, wherein the mounting means is formed from rigid or semi-rigidmaterial.
 19. (canceled)